Brian FISHER

FISHER, Brian
1939 - 2012
Brian died peacefully in Adelaide, Australia in the early hours of September 21, 2012 with his family by his side. He was born in Uxbridge, England to Canadian parents. When he was a child, the family moved to Regina, Saskatchewan. Brian attended Regina College School of Art, at the University of Regina. He furthered his art education in Vancouver, British Columbia at the Vancouver School of Art (now the Emily Carr University of Art+Design). He then won a scholarship to study at L'Accademia di Belle Arti, Rome, Italy, where he spent two years. In the 1960s and 70s Vancouver became a vibrant art scene. Brian, an active part of that scene, started to exhibit his paintings during this time. His first solo show was in 1965, at the New Design Gallery in Vancouver. He went on to have many more solo exhibitions and to be included in numerous group shows, both national and international. His work is represented in many public galleries, such as the National Gallery of Canada, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, as well as several universities and private collections. Brian's largest public work was a major mural, commissioned for Dorval Airport, Montreal. He held several teaching positions: the Vancouver School of Art (1964-65), the University of British Columbia (1968), the University of Calgary (1969), Banff Summer Workshop (1973) and the University of Regina (1976-1983). Brian met and married his wife, Joy Paull, while in Regina. They had two children, Lauren and Matthew. The family moved to Australia, Joy's home, in 1983. They kept in touch with their many friends across Canada and made a return visit together in 2006. In 2009, Brian visited with his son Matthew. Those of us who knew Brian will miss and think of him, not only as an artist, friend, loving father and husband, but as a compassionate human being. He shall be greatly missed.